WHEREAS, The Council of the City of Philadelphia recognizes that too many communities here in Philadelphia and across the country are forced to confront the daily impacts of violence, disinvestment, limited opportunities, and that real public safety requires prevention, healing, and clear pathways to employment, stability, and purpose; and
WHEREAS, The MAAFA Redemption Project is a faith-based, residential institute in West Garfield Park, Chicago, that supports emerging adult men of color through housing, workforce training, character and spiritual development, and wrap-around social services, using community and structure to support personal transformation; and
WHEREAS, As a ministry of New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, MAAFA educates and empowers Black youth and young adults by providing a safe and healing environment and engaging them in a “Sankofa movement” rooted in the belief that communities are restored when individuals are given the tools and support to restore themselves; and
WHEREAS, MAAFA’s model centers accountability and growth by investing in the whole person mind, body, and spirit
while pairing intensive mentoring with concrete support, consistent expectations, and a structured environment that allows Fellows to rebuild their futures; and
WHEREAS, From September 2023 to May 2024, MAAFA served thirty-four Fellows in its seventh cohort, assigned Life Coaches to each participant, and completed Personalized Life Plans (PLPs) for all 34 Fellows, treating them as an ongoing process that requires consistent guidance rather than a short-term intervention; and
WHEREAS, MAAFA is also helping strengthen community infrastructure through initiatives such as the Sankofa Wellness Village and the MAAFA Center for Arts & Activism, demonstrating a “people and place” strategy that links individual growth with neighborhood revitalization an approach that resonates with Philadelphia’s own efforts to invest in residents, stabilize communities, and build safer corridors; and
WHEREAS, Rev. Marshall Hatch Jr., as Executive Director, provides disciplined, compassionate, and community-rooted leadership, creating space for young men to see themselves as leaders and change agents, and modeling the type of mentorship and accountability that Philadelphia continues to uplift through its youth engagement, workforce pathways, and violence-prevention priorities; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA
,
Hereby honors and recognizes The MAAFA Redemption Project and Rev. Marshall Hatch Jr. for their commitment to redemption, accountability, healing, and opportunity for young men work that aligns with Philadelphia’s ongoing effort to build safer neighborhoods, expand access to supportive services, and strengthen the next generation of leaders; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to The MAAFA Redemption Project and Rev. Marshall Hatch Jr. in recognition of their service, leadership, and example of how communities can turn pain into purpose and create a true village of safety, support, and possibility
.
End